Jeans Upcycle – Cute girl’s apron

31 Jan 2015

Jeans Upcycle – Cute girl’s apron

I’m feeling very pleased to have finished another recycled denim jeans project this week – I’m on a roll now!

As I mentioned in my last post, my friend gave me two pairs of jeans she no longer had use for, knowing my obsession with repurposing clothes! At the same time, my niece (a budding seamstress herself) sent me this video link to a great re-use for jeans – cutting the backside and waistband off to make a garden apron.

The video tutorial shows you how in seconds you can create a little garden apron from your jeans. I immediately took the shears to my friend’s old jeans and reproduced the apron, but decided to “girlify” it a bit by adding a little ruffle.

Rather cuter now I felt – but probably more of an “indoors” apron that a gardening one. In which case, it needed a bit more work. You’ll notice the cut at the side seams left a rather frayed raw edge that needed some attention.

Cut edge of denim jeans for making an apron

Hmm, that edge won’t do at all…

So I added some binding with a pretty fabric to contrast the ruffle fabric. Then I had a dilemma – should I top-stitch from the front of the binding, to neaten it up, or should I go for a cleaner look?

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I’ve no doubt everyone has their own view; I put it to both my sewing circle and Twitter friends (I take part in the excellent #makedoandmendhour on Twitter on Thursdays 8-9pm UK time). Needless to say opinion was fairly evenly divided. In the end, my horror of unpicking stitching led me to conclude it was better with! 😀

A bit more ruffling (who doesn’t love a good ruffle??)

and one of my favourite fabric flowers later…

and I’m pretty happy with the result!

Now you can all tell me off for stitching over my binding – I can take it 😉 x

Posted in Homemade gifts, Upcycled or Repurposed and tagged cheap craft ideas, denim jeans, DIY, diy teacher gift, Easy crafts, Etsy, flowers, gifts, handmade, homemade, rainy day fun, recycled, Repurposed, scrap fabric buster, Sewing & Fabric, Upcycled

17 thoughts on “Jeans Upcycle – Cute girl’s apron”

mommyemu on 1 February 2015 at 7:21 am said:

What a fantastic idea. I have made an old pair of jeans into a skirt before.

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- vjcollins on 1 February 2015 at 8:19 am said:
  
  It’s great isn’t it? I can’t take credit for the idea. A skirt is pretty impressive!
  
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sewchet on 1 February 2015 at 2:15 pm said:

Such a clever way to use old jeans!

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Caroline on 3 February 2015 at 6:01 am said:

A great way to make to and reuse, so pretty

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- vjcollins on 3 February 2015 at 8:03 am said:
  
  Thanks Caroline 🙂
  
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Lucy Blossom on 3 February 2015 at 7:57 am said:

What a great way to upcycle the jeans. I love little aprons and the pockets are so handy – I might have to make one for my next craft fair to keep my bits and pieces in.

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- vjcollins on 3 February 2015 at 8:04 am said:
  
  Haha Vicky, I was thinking the same! These are my friend’s size 6 (UK size) so a bit “snug” on me – I’m going to try making some waist-adjustable by using a bigger pair of jeans and adding more rivet buttons.
  
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handmade by amalia on 3 February 2015 at 2:37 pm said:

This is so sweet! That flower is the perfect finishing touch.
Amalia
xo

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- vjcollins on 3 February 2015 at 2:43 pm said:
  
  Thanks Amalia, I have a thing about fabric flowers! x
  
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Jan @ Handcrafted by Picto on 3 February 2015 at 10:07 pm said:

I love old jeans, there are so many ways to reuse them, this is so cute, a great way to recycle the jeans. I love the side edging and the ruffle 🙂
Jan x

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- vjcollins on 3 February 2015 at 10:18 pm said:
  
  Thanks Jan, I must admit I am in love with this fabric! x
  
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vickymyerscreations on 4 February 2015 at 4:22 pm said:

I love the double row of frill – really nice:)

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- vjcollins on 4 February 2015 at 4:37 pm said:
  
  Thanks Vicky x
  
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Pam @Threading My Way on 7 February 2015 at 7:34 am said:

You are right – too pretty to be used in the garden. A great refashion!!!

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- vjcollins on 7 February 2015 at 9:25 am said:
  
  Thanks Pam 🙂 x
  
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- Pam @Threading My Way on 7 February 2015 at 9:49 pm said:
  
  Featured today…
  
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- vjcollins on 7 February 2015 at 9:50 pm said:
  
  That’s fab, thanks so much Pam xx
  
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